Curacao back again, and so are 4 standouts
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After an incredibly stressful game on Thursday afternoon at Volunteer Stadium, Curacao beat Australia in a 2-1 game. Both teams fought as hard as they could to move forward in the bracketand Curacao couldn't have been happier it was them.
This is the second year in a row that the Caribbean has been here to represent Curacao -- and third straight year featuring International teams dating back to 2019.
Last year's World Series runners-up bring back four returning players with experience in that Series in Jay-Dlynn Wiel, D'Shawn Winklaar, Shemar Sophia Jacobus and Joshua Acosta Fernandez.
All four returners sure did their part on the field through regionals and so far at the World Series to even further show why they deserved to be here once again.
"We didn't play our best game. It's all about the win. You go back, you regroup and come back for the second game," Curacao manager Zanio Everett said through a translator on Thursday.
The Caribbean champions had Helmir Helmijr in as the starting pitcher. In is 2 2/3 innings pitched, he only let up one hit, one run and had a total of seven strikeouts and three walks.
"He didn't do well because he needed to throw more strikes. He usually throws a lot of strikes but it is his first time over here. There were too many people. I think he was a little bit nervous but he will come back to throw a better game," Everett said through a translator.
The game Thursday afternoon was filled with amazing plays from both teams but one that stood. out was Curacao's youngest players, Jayvery Felicia who made a diving catch out in left field that prevented Australia from scoring and possibly winning the game.
"He is a good defense player. He knows how to run outfield well and that is a game changing play," Everett sad through a translator.
Felicia also had a remarkable day at the plate going 2 for 2 in the fifth inning which brought in the game-winning run.
"He is like sparky. If you throw a fastball in, he will make you pay. He is a little boy, you will think he is not a good hitter and he will make you pay for that," Everett said through a translator.
Wiel, one of Curacao's four returning players from last year's World Series runner-up team, also stands out once again. With no outs and a runner on third base in Thursday's game, Wiel came in as their relief pitcher in an intense moment.
"In my mind, there wasn't a lot going on because I've been here last year and I know the experience. It wasn't going to be hard, Australia is a good team but the thing that I was doing is that it is a role to be in this team," Wiel said through a translator. "When in tied games, I need to come in and close the game out."
Curacao faced Venezuela on Monday afternoon at Volunteer Stadium, and Everett knew it would be a tough game.
"I think we need to go practice to hit those curveballs. I mean, you see a team doesn't do well on curveballs, you come out and keep throwing curveballs and mixing up pitches. We do not do well," Everett said through a translator.
Curacao was ecstatic to be back at the Little League World Series for a second straight year, and for Pabao Little League, it's their third straight tournament featuring International teams.
And Curacao is striving for another victorious tournament.
Everett stated after Thursday's game that Curacao's goal is to continue coming back again next year as well.